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1. Craig_Adams
   

   Radio historian
   Posts: 2,132

   Back in the 1950's & 60's it was rare to find station formats defined because the major stations were programming entertainment network shows and filling open time slots with popular music and local shows. It was very standardized block programming. The Broadcasting Yearbooks didn't begin format listings until the early 70's when many stations by then had chosen distinctive formats.

   Billboard Magazine, involved in music, saw a need early. In their April 4, 1964 issue they listed Portland Radio Stations with format descriptions. (Billboard arranged order):

   KISN 910 - Pop-Contemporary / PD: Don Steele.
   KEX 1190 - Pop-Standard / PD: Fulton Wilkins.
   KGON 1520 - Contemporary / PD: Sonora B. Hoffman.
   KGW 620 - Standard-Pop / PD: Patrick H. Crafton.
   KWJJ 1080 - Standard-Jazz-Pop / OM: Jerry Speerstra.
   KPOJ 1330 - Standard / PD: Vern Mueller.
   KOIN 970 - Standard / GM: Harry H. Buckendahl
   KPAM 1410 - Standard-Classical / GM: Del Leeson.
   KXL 750 - Conservative-Classical / GM: Lester M. Smith.

   Posted on December 2, 2009 - 10:14 PM #
2. trixter
   

   vacuum tube
   Posts: 3,214

   Craig...

   When was KGON's move ot 92.3? And 2nd... What was Portland's first FM station?

   I'm sure you covered these a long time ago but I don't remember....

   Posted on December 2, 2009 - 11:28 PM #
3. Craig_Adams
   

   Radio historian
   Posts: 2,132

   KGON 1520 didn't move to FM. KGON 1520 dropped their calls on August 1, 1964 for KYMN. Then they became KYXI on September 11, 1967. On November 1, 1973 KYXI's McCoy Broadcasting purchased KLIQ-FM and it became KGON but did not begin the AOR format until February 1, 1974. So there's a ten year gap. Great question!

   The Northwest's first FM station was KGW-FM, beginning operation on May 7, 1946.

   Posted on December 2, 2009 - 11:45 PM #
4. trixter
   

   vacuum tube
   Posts: 3,214

   What was KGW's frequency?

   Posted on December 3, 2009 - 12:23 AM #
5. Craig_Adams
   

   Radio historian
   Posts: 2,132

   KGW-FM began on 95.3mc and moved to 100.3mc on October 10, 1947.

   Posted on December 3, 2009 - 01:18 AM #
6. KQ4
   

   tough transistor
   Posts: 91

   Besides Craig, another great historical resource: "Pioneer Mikes"!

   http://www.ijpr.org/Page.asp?NavID=1101

   Posted on December 3, 2009 - 08:23 AM #
7. pdxgary98
   

   vacuum tube
   Posts: 138

   I always thought that 97.1 KPFM was the first FM station... so they claimed back when I was in school. Thanks Craig.

   Posted on December 3, 2009 - 05:59 PM #
8. semoochie
   

   vacuum tube
   Posts: 1,133

   Maybe it was the first FM that survived to that point.

   Posted on December 3, 2009 - 07:28 PM #
9. Craig_Adams
   

   Radio historian
   Posts: 2,132

   Right, KPFM was the oldest continuously operated FM, most likely in the Northwest. Seattle was late launching FM stations, as Portland was in Television.

   Posted on December 3, 2009 - 07:38 PM #
10. goodguy
    

    junior diode
    Posts: 9

    Did Lester Smith actually live in Portland while he was "GM"? (since he was based in Seattle/Bellevue) This must have been right after Sinatra sold out his interest in the company and he became partners with Danny Kaye...?

    Posted on December 7, 2009 - 06:48 PM #
11. Craig_Adams
    

    Radio historian
    Posts: 2,132

    Les never lived in Portland. Les was part owner of KXL & GM from 1955 to 1957 when he and his associates sold KXL to Frank Sinatra & Danny Kaye. Les continued as KXL GM. In 1964 Danny Kaye & Les Smith bought out Frank Sinatra. Les continued as KXL GM. In 1981 Les bought out Danny Kaye.

    Posted on December 7, 2009 - 09:53 PM #
12. Waynes World
    

    vacuum tube
    Posts: 137

    Vern Mueller's son Dave has been a good friend of mine for years. we went to Madison

    Posted on December 8, 2009 - 10:51 AM #

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